What do you buy & Where do you buy your gear?

[JD The Bushwalker]

Hi, I am new to the site and just starting to get a little more serious in bushwalking. Looking at buying some gear (mostly for short day walks at the moment). Would love to know what to buy, and where to buy it. Thanks in advance for the help

[wayno]

depends on where you live and where you are looking at going walking, what time of year will you be walking, how long you want your trips to be... what you buy can vary greatly based on the answers to these questions especially in a continent like australia...

[ninjapuppet]

I assume you'll be doing most walks in blue mountains for your short day walks?
Even with winter approaching, only minimal gear is required for day walks in the blue mountains, namely:

- some trailshoes
- clothes [pants, shirt, warm jumper, rain proof jacket]
- water bottles/ hydration bladder
- a small pack to carry it all

and thats generally enough if you stick to the main touristy trails. Can easily kit yourself out with all that at snowys outdoors, Rays outdoors, annaconda etc from $200.
Once you start going on longer day walks and overnighters then use the search function to check out our section on the 10 essentials

[JD The Bushwalker]

I assume you'll be doing most walks in blue mountains for your short day walks?
Even with winter approaching, only minimal gear is required for day walks in the blue mountains, namely:

- some trailshoes
- clothes [pants, shirt, warm jumper, rain proof jacket]
- water bottles/ hydration bladder
- a small pack to carry it all

and thats generally enough if you stick to the main touristy trails. Can easily kit yourself out with all that at snowys outdoors, Rays outdoors, annaconda etc from $200.
Once you start going on longer day walks and overnighters then use the search function to check out our section on the 10 essentials

You assume correctly. Thanks for the info. Would I need to take any overnight gear in case something were to happen or is that a bit of overkill? Also I had a quick look at boots at annaconda but they all seemed to be hi-tec... which from what I have read is a no-go-zone. Where would you suggest I buy boots from (I am thinking boots for the ankle support)?

[cams]

You assume correctly. Thanks for the info. Would I need to take any overnight gear in case something were to happen or is that a bit of overkill? Also I had a quick look at boots at annaconda but they all seemed to be hi-tec... which from what I have read is a no-go-zone. Where would you suggest I buy boots from (I am thinking boots for the ankle support)?

I'd probably just go out and do some more walks with whatever you have first. Especially if they're going to be fairly short walks on good tracks. Some sand shoes and whatever clothes you have already will do. The more important stuff for a new comer to make sure they have is a first aid kit and enough hydration stuff. Maybe a rain coat. This way you'll get a better idea yourself of what specialised gear you'd like to get first. For eg. lots of people on these forums including myself have reverted back to trail runner type shoes for a lot of walking rather than heavy (expensive) boots.

[Dale]

You assume correctly. Thanks for the info. Would I need to take any overnight gear in case something were to happen or is that a bit of overkill? Also I had a quick look at boots at annaconda but they all seemed to be hi-tec... which from what I have read is a no-go-zone. Where would you suggest I buy boots from (I am thinking boots for the ankle support)?

Like Cams said - sneakers are good to kick off with. If you want to investigate boots Scarpas are great IMHO but I've also gone to trail runners as well. Kent St is the place to go if you want to check out all the brands.

For an unplanned overnighter... carry a down jacket which doesn't weigh much and is small volume, rain gear, whistle, firelighters, headlamp, water purification and perhaps a bivy if you really want to plan for the worse. Mind you with tents around like Hexamids that weigh a few 100 grams make contingency planning so much easier I believe Katoomba Police Station lends PLBs ? Of course an investment in your own navigation skills should be a priority. Much of the Blue Mountains is reasonably well trafficked so if you start on the well known tracks and bring along the topo map for that walk you should be OK. Have fun.

[JD The Bushwalker]

Thanks guys appreciate it Depending on the weather, I might just do another walk this weekend, wanted to go last weekend but got caught up. Looking forward to it. I am going to have to buy some shoes/boots soon though, I already hate wearing my runners. They are comfy, but just don't suit that sort of punishment. So you say the standard trail shoes are ok?

[slparker]

I would recommend trail shoes with a leaning towards walking (ie with a vibram rubber sole or similar) trail runners are great but don't have nearly as much grip.

[Aushiker]

Hi, I am new to the site and just starting to get a little more serious in bushwalking. Looking at buying some gear (mostly for short day walks at the moment). Would love to know what to buy, and where to buy it. Thanks in advance for the help

My preferred retailers or more specifically where I go first to check prices etc are:

http://mainpeak.com.au
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/
http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/home.html
http://www.moontrail.com

Andrew

[JD The Bushwalker]

Thanks guys